Anti-theft device and method for use in products with electric or electronic components therein

Abstract

The anti-theft device ( 12 ) and method are for use in products ( 10 ) provided with electric and electronic components therein. The device ( 12 ) in embedded, or other wise unreachable, in the product ( 10 ) to be protected. The device ( 12 ) is able to wirelessly interact with detectors ( 14 ) located at checkpoints of a secured area in order to generate and alarm event whenever someone is attempting to take the product ( 10 ) out without the security feature being turned off. Moreover, the device ( 12 ) denies benefit of use of some or even all the features of the products ( 10 ) if proper authorization is not released by or from someone holding rights to the product ( 10 ). The device ( 12 ) also allows a product ( 10 ) to be disabled from a distance, for instance if a client fails to pay fees for leasing the product ( 10 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An anti-theft device ( 12 ) for use in a product ( 10 ) having an electric or electronic component therein, the device ( 12 ) comprising: 
 first means for receiving a first activation signal from an electronic article surveillance system and transmitting a response signal upon receiving the first activation signal;    the device ( 12 ) being characterized in that it also comprises: 
 second means for selectively enabling and disabling normal operation of the product ( 10 ); and  
 third means for receiving a second activation signal, the third means being coupled to the second means so that normal operation of the product ( 10 ) is enabled upon receiving the second activation signal.  
   
     
     
         2 . An anti-theft device ( 12 ) in accordance to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first means comprise a transponder ( 26 ).  
     
     
         3 . An anti-theft device ( 12 ) in accordance to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the second means comprise a processor ( 20 ) having an output terminal ( 30 ) through which the processor ( 20 ) enables and disables at least part the product ( 10 ).  
     
     
         4 . An anti-theft device ( 12 ) in accordance to  claim 3 , characterized in that it further comprises a switch ( 31 ) coupled to the output terminal ( 30 ).  
     
     
         5 . A method of protecting a product ( 10 ) having an electric or electronic component therein, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first activation signal from an electronic article surveillance system and transmitting a response signal upon receiving the first activation signal;    the method being characterized in that it also comprises: 
 providing a product ( 10 ) in an at least partially disabled state;  
 receiving at the product ( 10 ) a second activation signal from a wireless activation system ( 18 );  
 validating the second activation signal; and  
 enabling normal operation of the product ( 10 ) upon determining that the second activation signal is valid.  
   
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that enabling normal operation of the product ( 10 ) comprises issuing an enabling command to a processor that is part of the product ( 10 ) itself.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that enabling normal operation of the product ( 10 ) comprises issuing an enabling command to a switch ( 31 ).  
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 5  to  7 , characterized in that it further comprises: 
 determining that the product ( 10 ) needs to be disabled;  
 receiving at the product ( 10 ) a deactivation signal from a wireless activation system ( 18 );  
 validating the deactivation signal; and  
 disabling normal operation of the product ( 10 ) upon determining that the deactivation signal is valid.  
 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 5  to  8 , characterized in that the response signal comprises data to identify the product ( 10 ).  
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , characterized in that the data comprises a serial number.